Mary Kleppe 1931-2021
Mary Joyce Kleppe, 90, Hiawatha, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at Amberwell Hiawatha Hospital surrounded by family.
She was born Feb. 22, 1931, near Fairview, the daughter of John Henry and Mildred Houlette Fraser. She graduated in 1949 from Hiawatha High School.
Mrs. Kleppe worked in the Brown County Extension and Treasurer’s Office prior to her marriage, then farmed with her husband near Troy and later near Hiawatha.
She served on the election board in Robinson for several years.
She married Paul Adam Kleppe on Nov. 5, 1950. He died June 29, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Mary Beth; two brothers, Jake Fraser and Gerald Fraser; four sisters, Jean Zimmerman, Joan Hall, Shirley Babb and Janice Kathrens; and a daughter-in-law, GeGe.
Survivors include her children, Debra Ewing and husband Jim and Bruce Kleppe and wife Whitney, all of Hiawatha; grandchildren Gilay Allen and husband Richard, Topeka, Karma Kleppe, St. Joseph, Mo., Justin Kneisel and wife Sherame, Benton, and Jarred Knelsel and wife Jennifer, Hutchison; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; a sister, Betty Adams, in Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha with Eric Hicks officiating. A private scattering of Mary and Paul’s ashes will follow on the family farm near Hiawatha. Family will receive friends one hour prior to services; masks are preferred but not required.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Brown County or St. Jude’s Children Hospital, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. Seventh St., Hiawatha, KS 66434.
